APLD Members ~ Member of the Month
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Jim Coile, APLD
Featured Member for November 2005
Landscape
Architecture is the design of outdoor spaces for maximum human
use and enjoyment. This was the definition each
student was required to learn early in our college design classes.
It has proven to be a good standard of evaluation both in landscape
architectural training and in practice to assist me in bringing
solutions to design projects.
Clients seek out a designer wanting a more attractive and inviting
outdoor environment. 
The
designer wants his or her completed work to be appealing and to
enhance the area. As trained professionals we realize that for
a completed work to be successful it not only must be visually
appealing, but should be developed based upon some pertinent facts:
the client's concerns and interests, possible drainage issues,
unsightly views, noise reduction, sun and wind exposures, and
others.
Coile
and Associates is a small design firm specializing in Master Planning
and Landscape Design. Our work involves both commercial and residential
projects. Because of the close client relationships residential
design affords, the majority of our efforts lie in that area.
The size of these commissions range from courtyard design to large
acreage farms and estates.
Our work approach in recent years has been moving toward design/build. Both my sons now are pursuing careers in the landscape field. Scott has joined our design office, while Stuart is building a strong landscape construction office. Many of our clients have begun to see the advantages of a design/build approach.
I
always have enjoyed working as a team member when creating a design.
Usually the team will consist of owner, architect, contractor,
interior designer with our firm providing landscape design services.
In our design solutions we rely on hardscapes and evergreens
to anchor and bring permanence through all seasons. Once these
“bones” are in place, we can enhance the design by bringing into
play deciduous shrubs, grasses, perennials and annuals. In selecting
hardscape materials we look to materials used in house construction
and repeat these in our walls, paving materials and fences.
This helps anchor the house onto the site and provides a greater
sense of harmony.
On-going training is important as we develop a design practice. I became a member of APLD because of my strong belief in this principle. While attending the Leaving No Stone Unturned conferences in the 1980's I began to realize that an organization was
Forming. I liked and respected the people I met in those conferences and found the topics to be timely and helpful. Joining APLD has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, with the conferences providing invaluable training.
Certified Members seeking to be profiled should send before and after photos with SHORT design intent statement to:
Bethany Dennis
APLD Communications Manager
Email: communications@apld.org
Phone: 717-238-9780
* PHOTOS SHOULD BE CLEAR COLOR PRINTS OR JPEG COMPRESSED FILES